Wire crimpers....what do you use?

What tools do you guys use for crimping terminals onto your wiring projects? I was looking at tools on Amazon and some of them are questionable quality wise lol. I am looking for something that will do 4, 8, and 10 guage primarily.

 

These are the two in my "electrical tool box" section. I'm not an electrician by any means, I hate electrical work, but both have held up well for years.

Klein:
https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/...tool-wire-stripper-wire-cutters-crimping-tool

Lee Valley:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho...aBdb8jSogI78_196oieUqpQSk9_d3w3waApsBEALw_wcB

 

I use a pair of Sta-Kon pliers my Dad gave me for common crimp on terminals. This pair's been around the block a few times.


I use Tricrimp crimpers for everything else. Mainly Anderson PowerPoles.

 

Klein, Mac, SnapOn, Knipex are all in my tool box.

 

I’ve always used Kline. Last longer than it takes for me to lose them

 

https://www.amazon.com/your-orders/...es=&returnUnitMappingId=&shipmentId=DkwTgjhRG

And...(I have the conduct tite brand but could not find them on Amazon so included this link to a Klein stripping tool)

$22 Klein Tools 11061 Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper / Wire Cutter, Heavy Duty, for 10-20 AWG Solid, 12-22 AWG Stranded, and Romex Wire 12/2 and 14/3

https://www.amazon.com/Self-Adjusti...&sprefix=conduct+wire+stripper,aps,253&sr=8-7

An a good pair of dykes is all I use

An don't forget this stuff...

https://www.amazon.com/your-orders/...es=&returnUnitMappingId=&shipmentId=DkwTgjhRG

 

Once you have a hydraulic crimping tool, you’ll never look at another crimping tool the same

 

I use this one, it’s easier to get into tight spots and is just a lot quicker to use

 

Dammit man!!!

My wallet can't take much more!

 

crimping 4awg lugs is a breeze. Used to use the ole “smack the hammer” crimper, but that just sits on the sidelines now. Crimper does up to 14 but I just use my hand crimper for anything 10 and higher

 

I also use this one (mentioned above) for heavy guage. I bought it at Harbor Freight. Can use it for small guage too but it big and heavy a kinda takes 3 hands: one to hold a connector in place on a small guage wire while holding and crimping with the other two hands. So it’s not ideal for small space work, like connecting to existing wiring in a truck. But for bigger connections, or making a harness, it’s awesome!

 

Knipex or Klein, but my go-to is usually Knipex for electrical hand tools. https://www.knipex-tools.com/sites/default/files/KNIPEX Catalog.pdf

Depending on how often you'll be crimping wire and how much you want to spend, I would consider an inexpensive (relatively speaking)

$40 AMZCNC Hand Operated Hydraulic Crimping Tool Range 12 AWG-2/0 AWG for Cable Lugs Hydraulic Crimping Crimper Wire Terminal Lug Tool with 9 Pairs of Dies

hydraulic crimping tool

There are also hammer strike tools you can mount to a bench or strike on the floor.

Lincoln Electric KH538 Lug/Cable Crimping Tool (Pack of 1),Black

Lincoln Electric makes a decent tool that works well for non-insulated copper lugs and will easily crimp up to 2/0, even 4/0 with a heavy strike. I've also used one on lugs as small as 8 gauge without issue.

 

I use one of these. For me this is one of those tools that I didn't want to splurge on due to how infrequently I would use it but also had to compromise and not buy a shit tool. Has served me well. Crimps are still holding up on wiring I did back in 2012 on my Outback.

 

I am a Substation Master Technician by trade. These are the only crimpers I have found that I like. https://www.zoro.com/ideal-5-12-in-...MI-qqO7Zah-wIVKxfUAR34HQwgEAQYByABEgIv0_D_BwE

 

I just looked in my tool box. Not much for gauges that big

 

Oops, I almost forgot about the set for ribbon cables.

 

4, 8, & 10 ga? Whatcha wiring? LED license plate lights? Look for something beefy like Nicopress.

 

I missed the size of wire. This is what I use at work.

$234 Greenlee Crimping tool 8-1 AWG

https://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-K11...gid=pla-434095913706&ref=&adgrpid=64417494871

 

Depends on what wire size I'm crimping, but I primarily use DMC crimpers. I do have other brands that have interchangeable die sets. "Stake-on" crimpers are a big NO for me. I prefer ratchet type crimpers since they won't release until the splice is fully crimped down.

https://www.dmctools.com/products/crimp-tools/

 

We use DMC on high voltage connections. 115kv to 345kv. Excellent stuff. In my line of work ratcheting crimpers are the only acceptable style of crimpers. I wouldn’t use anything else.

 

I’m not sure if these companies are affiliated?
https://dmcpower.com/tooling

 

Dag nabbit...no, no, no....I do not need to spend more money....GAH...

 

I doubt it. The acronym meaning DMC for both companies is quite different. DMC Power (formerly Deutsch Metal Components) and DMC (Daniels Manufacturing Corporation).

 

What crimpers are you looking for? Search eBay. I got a lot of good deals on crimpers, positioners, and die sets from there.

 

You must have Popeyes forearms if you’re ratcheting 2awg lugs

 

These are my go to as well!

 

Terminal construction tends to dictate tool to be used.

insulated vs non.
Seam vs seamless.

insert some specifics and you’ll get some guidance…

 

I don’t. Lol. The ratcheting crimpers I use are on wire sizes 10-16. Mainly control cables, CT cables etc. the ratchet gives a uniform and consistent crimp. Most utilities won’t even allow the standard squeeze crimpers.

 

Thanks for the info. The link you provided has a set that looks exactly like the Ideal crimpers I prefer. I may have to pick a pair up when I need to.